Year-End Review: Analysing The Growth of the Rail Transportation Sector in FY 2024

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Abstract

The year 2024 has been quite a great year for India’s mobility sector, which has delivered a remarkable performance in rail transport and urban mobility. Right from engineering marvels to massive network expansions and eco-friendly metro projects, the nation has taken some vital steps to modernize its infrastructure.

Among the outstanding achievements, the expansion of 5,100 kilometers of railway tracks is a major step toward enhancing connectivity and strengthening the economic frameworks of the country. The launch of new metro projects, like the Thane Metro and Bhubaneswar Metro, made urban transportation progress.

This article discusses the highlights of 2024. The research delves into the budgetary provisions, strategic plans, and policies that spurred the development of Indian rail and metro infrastructure.

Indian Railways in 2024: Progress Toward Vikasit Bharat 2047

Indian Railways continued its modernization and growth journey into 2024, in passenger experience improvement, enhancing freight efficiency, and harnessing advanced technologies. Improvements in stations, the launch of new train services, and safety systems introduced at various levels indicate how the rail network is evolving further. Indian Railways, with over 68,584 route km and 12.54 lakh employees stands as the fourth largest network in the world under single management. In the year 2024, Indian Railways’ growth has been substantial. Here’s a brief overview of the critical aspects of railways that contributed to its growth.

  • The Hike in Capital Expenditure:  In the Union Budget 2024-25, presented by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23, 2024, Indian Railways saw a record capital expenditure (Capex) allocation of ₹2,62,200 crores. This marks a 77% increase compared to the previous five years. Additionally, the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) for the year is set at ₹2,52,200 crores. This reflects a rise from ₹2,40,200 crores in 2023-24 and a substantial increase from ₹28,174 crores in 2013-14.
  • Revenue: The Railways achieved a total revenue of ₹2.56 lakh crore (US$ 30.76 billion) by the end of 2024. 

Enhancing Rail Track Infrastructure & Speed

Track Renewal Works:

  • 6200 Track km rails have been renewed with new rails.
  • Complete track renewal for 6450 track km has been done.
  • Through Turnout Renewal of 8550 sets have been done.
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Raising of sectional speed:

  • The sectional speed on over 2000 track kilometres, including segments of the Golden Quadrilateral, Diagonal routes, and other B routes, has been upgraded to 130 km/h.
  • Raising of sectional speed to 110 kmph has been done over 7200 track km.

Infrastructure Development and Gati Shakti Initiatives in 2024

Indian Railways has made steady progress in infrastructure development during 2024. 

Elimination of Manned Level Crossings and Bridge Construction

  1. Level Crossings:
    • 718 manned level crossings have been eliminated, improving safety and minimising delays.
  2. ROBs and RUBs:
    • A total of 1,024 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) have been constructed.

Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs)

The Gati Shakti initiative aims to enhance logistics infrastructure and promote industrial investment through strategically located cargo terminals:

  • Identified Locations:
    • 354 locations have been identified for GCT development, with 327 on non-railway land and 27 on railway land.
  • Operational Terminals:
    • By the end of October 2024, 91 GCTs had been commissioned.

Sanction of Three Economic Corridors

Indian Railways has sanctioned the development of three key economic corridors in 2024, targeting critical sectors and high-demand routes. Under the ambitious infrastructure plan for 2024, Indian Railways has outlined 434 projects across three major economic corridors. Of these, 58 projects were sanctioned during 2024, with a combined track length of approximately 4,107 kilometres and an estimated completion cost of ₹88,875 crore. 

Energy, Mineral, and Cement Corridors

  • Projects: 51
  • Track Length: 2,911 kilometres
  • Completion Cost: ₹57,313 crore
  • Focus: Facilitating the transportation of energy resources, minerals, and cement.

High Traffic Density Routes

  • Projects: 5
  • Track Length: 830 kilometers
  • Completion Cost: ₹11,280 crore
  • Focus: Decongesting busy rail corridors and enhancing operational efficiency.

Port Connectivity Corridors (Rail Sagar)

  • Projects: 2
  • Track Length: 366 kilometers
  • Completion Cost: ₹20,282 crore
  • Focus: Expanding rail connectivity in coastal regions.

Commissioning of projects in 2024 

Plan HeadCommissioning (Km)
New Line1158
Gauge Conversion259
Doubling2016
Total3433

Electrification Drive in 2024

Indian Railways continued its electrification momentum in 2024 to enhance its eco-friendly operations and efficiency:

  • Achieved Milestone: A total of 3,210 route kilometres (RKM) were electrified in the calendar year 2024, extending electrification to approximately 97% of the Broad Gauge (BG) network.
  • Decade of Progress: Since 2014-15, approximately 45,200 RKM of BG lines have been electrified.
  • Accelerated Pace: The pace of electrification surged from 1.42 km/day (2004-14) to 19.7 km/day during 2023-24.
  • Budgetary Support: For the fiscal year 2024-25, ₹8,070 crore has been allocated to further advance electrification projects.

Station Redevelopment Initiative

Indian Railways is striving to upgrade its infrastructure under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:

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  • Scope:
    A total of 1,337 railway stations have been identified for redevelopment to improve passenger amenities and station facilities.
  • Progress:
    • Tenders and Implementation: Redevelopment work has started at 1,198 stations, with the remaining stations in various stages of tendering and planning.
  • Completed Projects:
    Several stations have been redeveloped and are now operational, including:
    • Rani Kamlapati Station (West Central Railway)
    • Gandhinagar Capital Station (Western Railway)
    • Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal Station (South Western Railway)
    • The first phase of Gomti Nagar Station (North Eastern Railway)
    • Ayodhya Railway Station (Northern Railway)
    • Cuttack Railway Station (East Coast Railway)

Telecom Developments in Indian Railways During 2024

1. Elephant Intrusion Detection System (EIDS)

  • Purpose: Commissioned at critical locations in the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to prevent accidents involving elephants.
  • Sanctioned Works: The project covers multiple railway zones, including NFR, ECoR, SR, NR, SER, NER, and WR, with a total cost of ₹208.02 crore.
  • Progress:
    • Awarded Works: 582.25 Route Kilometers (RKms)
      • NFR: 141 RKms
      • ECoR: 349.4 RKms
      • SR: 55.85 RKms
      • NER: 36 RKms
    • Commissioned: 141 RKms so far.

2. Application for Coach Guidance System (CGS) and Train Indicator Boards (TIB)

  • Integrated with the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) as per RDSO specifications (Revision-4).
  • Developed by CRIS for monitoring the integration of IPIS with NTES using API-based interfaces.

3. Centralised Public Address System

  • This system has been implemented in the Bhopal Division (WCR) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Division (ECR).

4. Digital VHF Walkie-Talkies

  • The Railway Board has mandated the procurement of Digital 5W Walkie-Talkie sets for better communication between locomotive pilots and guards.

5. Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) and Quad Cable Installation

  • FY 2023-24 Progress:
    • OFC: 1,411 RKms installed, bringing the cumulative total to approximately 66,588 RKms.
    • Quad Cable: 801 RKms installed, with a cumulative total of approximately 66,271 RKms.

7. Wi-Fi Facility at Stations

  • Wi-Fi is now available at 6,112 stations across the Indian Railways network.

8. CCTV Cameras at Stations

  • Indian Railways has sanctioned the installation of CCTV cameras at all stations (except halt stations).
  • Current Status: Installed at 1,051 stations to date.

Indian Railways’ Increasing Steps Towards Net-Zero by 2030

  • Renewable Energy Commissioned (as of November 2024):
    • Solar Power: Approximately 487 MW of solar plants this includes rooftop and ground-mounted systems.
    • Wind Power: Around 103 MW of wind power plants.
  • Renewable Energy – Round the Clock (RE-RTC): 100 MW of RE-RTC has begun supplying energy.
  • Total Renewable Capacity Tied Up: About 2,014 MW of renewable energy capacity has been secured

Indian Railways Expands Modern Train Services in 2024

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  • Vande Bharat: As of December 26, 2024, Indian Railways is operating a total of 136 Vande Bharat train services across its network. In 2024, 62 new Vande Bharat services were introduced.
  • Namo Bharat Rapid Rail: The first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service between Ahmedabad and Bhuj was launched on September 17, 2024.
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  • Amrit Bharat Train Services: Amrit Bharat services, which consist of fully non-AC trains with 12 Sleeper Class coaches and 8 General Class coaches, are providing quality services to passengers. In 2024, two Amrit Bharat Express services—Darbhanga–Anand Vihar (T) Express and Malda Town–SMVT Bengaluru Express—were introduced, with plans for more services in the future.
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Train Augmentation and Modernization Initiatives in 2024

  • Expansion of Coach Composition: In line with existing policies, Mail/Express trains now feature 12 General and Sleeper Class non-AC coaches, along with 8 AC coaches, totalling 22 coaches for passenger convenience.
  • General Class Coach Addition: Over 950 General Class coaches were added to Mail/Express trains operating with LHB coaches in 2024 to cater to unreserved passengers.
  • Permanent Coach Augmentation: More than 875 coaches have been permanently deployed for the augmentation of train services.
  • Transition to Modern LHB Coaches: Since April 2018, Indian Railways has transitioned to LHB coaches for all new train production. Additionally, over 75 pairs of trains have been converted to LHB coaches by November 2024.

Implementation of the Kavach System Across Railways

The Kavach system, an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, is designed to enhance train safety on Indian Railways. It requires stringent safety certification (SIL-4), which reflects its high technological standards.

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Progress Update:

  • A project to equip 10,000 locomotives with Kavach has been finalized.
  • 69 loco sheds are being prepared to support the Kavach installation.
  • Bids have been invited for trackside works, covering approximately 15,000 RKM across all major railway zones, including GQ, GD, HDN, and identified sections.
  • Three OEMs have been approved for the supply of Kavach systems, with trials and approvals for additional OEMs underway.
  • Over 9,000 technicians, operators, and engineers have been trained in Kavach technology through courses developed in collaboration with IRISET.
S.N.ItemsProgress
1Laying of Optical Fibre Cable5,133 Km
2Installation of Telecom Towers540 Nos.
3Provision of Kavach at Stations523 Nos.
4Provision of Kavach in Loco707 Locos
5Installation of Track Side Equipment3,434 Rkm

Investments and Contracts

  • Major Contract: ₹2,041.04 crore awarded to Kernex Micro Systems for 2,500 on-board Kavach systems.
  • Funds Utilised: ₹1,547 crore to date; ₹1,112.57 crore allocated for FY 2024-25.

2024 Milestones in Freight Services of Indian Railways

  • Record Freight Loading on Indian Railways: From January 2024 to November 2024, Indian Railways achieved 1473.05 million tonnes (MT) in revenue-earning freight loading, reflecting a 3.86% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
CorridorsNo. of Train RunsGross Ton Kilometer (GTKM)
(Millions)
Average Speed
October 2024Cumulative Runs (2024-25)October 2024Cumulative Runs (2024-25)
EDFC5,91541,05411,08873,02244.6
WDFC5,10931,5635,64333,25551.3
Total11,02472,61716,7311,06,277

Digital Initiatives Enhancing Passenger Convenience on Indian Railways

  • E-ticketing Growth: E-ticketing has reached 86% in the reserved sector, while in the unreserved sector, it has increased from 28% at the start of the financial year to approximately 33% by October 2024.
  • Streamlined Refund Process: Indian Railways has streamlined the refund process to ensure refunds are processed within 24 hours in 98% of eligible cases.
  • QR Code Payments: Dynamic QR code-based payments have been introduced at all counters on Indian Railways. This payment method is being expanded to include parcel offices, to cover all parcel offices by the end of the current financial year.

Health and Cleanliness Initiatives on Indian Railways

  • Eat Right Certification: Under the “Eat Right India” initiative by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), 182 stations have received the Eat Right certification, ensuring food safety and quality for passengers.
  • Namaste Health App: Launched on 16th December 2024, the Namaste Health App provides emergency healthcare services to Western Railway suburban commuters in critical situations.
  • Special Campaign 4.0:
    • Indian Railways conducted a total of 56,168 cleanliness drives, to improve workplace hygiene and maintain cleanliness at railway stations.
    • The campaign resulted in freeing up 12.15 lakh square feet of space and generating Rs. 452.40 crores in revenue.

Reduction in Train Accidents on Indian Railways

  • The number of consequential train accidents on Indian Railways has decreased over the years. During the period 2004-2014, there were 1,711 accidents (averaging 171 per year), which reduced to 678 accidents during 2014-2024 (averaging 68 per year)
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Project Engineering and Management: A Step Towards Efficiency

In 2024 Indian Railways has introduced several key measures to streamline project execution and engineering management, ensuring faster completion and better oversight:

  1. Resolution of Contractual Disputes
    • All pending cases within the Engineering Department across zonal railways have been resolved under the “Vivad Se Vishwas II (Contractual Disputes)” scheme, paving the way for smoother operations.
  2. Enhanced EPC Framework
    • To mitigate uncertainties in the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) tendering process, a new “Schedule G-1” has been incorporated, providing separate Bills of Quantities (BoQ) for itemized works.
  3. Dispute Redressal Mechanism
    • A master policy has been issued for the appointment of Conciliators, Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB) members, Standing Arbitration Tribunal (SAT) members, and Arbitrators, with a clear framework for determining their fees.
  4. Improved Contract Oversight
    • Comprehensive procedure orders have been introduced for Project Management Services (PMS) and Project Supervision Services Agency (PSSA) contracts, covering areas like measurement protocols, material testing, and payment processes.
  5. Delegation of Powers
    • Powers of Acceptance for works tenders have been enhanced, granting Chief Administrative Officers (Construction) full authority over all work contracts, including EPC tenders. Additional powers have been delegated under Modal SOP-2018 to field units for expedited project implementation.
  6. Flexible Tendering Options
    • Electronic Reverse Auction (e-RA) for works tenders has been made optional, offering greater flexibility in procurement.
  7. Digital Advancements
    • Four new web-based modules have been developed under the CRS Sanction Monitoring System to manage:
      • Opening of additional or deviation railway lines (New Lines, Gauge Conversion, Doubling).
      • Rebuilding and modification of major bridges.
      • Minor works such as upgrading level crossings and yard remodelling.
      • Manning and interlocking of level crossings.
  8. Updated Norms for Track Maintenance
    • The Modified Manpower and Cost Norms for Track Maintainers (MCNTM-2024) have been issued to standardise track maintenance protocols.
    • A new budget category, “PU-49,” has been introduced for outsourcing manpower and activities related to track maintenance.

Progress of Bullet Train Project in 2024

AreaProgress Details
Viaduct ConstructionOver 243 km completed
Pier and Foundation Work352 km of pier work and 362 km of pier foundation completed.
Bridge Construction13 rivers crossed; 5 steel bridges and 2 PSC bridges were constructed.
Track Construction (Gujarat)RC Track Bed construction in Anand, Vadodara, Surat, and Navsari districts; 71 track km completed.
Track WeldingWelding of rails commenced on the viaduct in Gujarat
Mumbai Bullet Train Station (Maharashtra)First concrete base-slab cast at 32 meters depth (equivalent to a 10-storey building)
BKC-Shilphata Tunnel (Maharashtra)21 km tunnel construction underway; Intermediate Tunnel (ADIT) of 394 meters completed
Mountain Tunnels (Maharashtra)Seven tunnels are under construction using New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) in Palghar district
Mountain Tunnel (Gujarat)One mountain tunnel completed

Indian Railway Beyond 2024: Future Prospects

India’s railway sector is set for significant growth, driven by several key initiatives that focus on improving connectivity, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

  1. Hydrogen-Powered Trains: Indian Railways plans to introduce hydrogen-powered trains on environmentally sensitive routes, with 35 trains set to operate across 8 heritage routes.
  2. Super App for Railways: Indian Railways is preparing to launch a comprehensive ‘super app’ to integrate various railway-related services. The app will streamline ticket booking, cancellations, live train tracking, and onboard services like food ordering, improving overall convenience for passengers.
  3. High-Speed Rail Initiatives: Feasibility studies are underway for high-speed rail corridors along key routes, including the Golden Quadrilateral routes: Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Mumbai, and Mumbai-Chennai.

Increasing Metro Rail Footprints in India: 

Annual Growth 2024

The Metro Rail sector in India has witnessed unprecedented growth during 2024. Till May 2014, about 248 km of metro rail lines were operational in the country. In the fiscal year 2024-25, the Indian Government allocated Rs 24,931.98 for MRTS projects. In 10 years this figure has increased by  943.61 km. Further, about 1080 km of metro rail projects are under construction in various cities across India namely, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kanpur, Agra, Bhopal, Indore, Patna, Surat and Meerut.

Major Accomplishments In Metro Systems Across India

Ahmedabad Metro:

  • Inauguration of Phase II: On September 16, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 20.8 km section of the 28.25 km Ahmedabad Metro Phase II project. This new line connects Motera to Sector-1 and includes a spur line to GIFT City.
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Bengaluru Metro: 

  • Completion of Tunnelling Work: BMRCL achieved 100% Tunneling for the entire Bangalore Metro Phase 2 On October 28, 2024.
  • Central’s Nod for Phase 3: On 16 August 2024, the Central Government gave clearance for 44.65 km Bangalore Metro Phase 3 at Rs 15,611 crore.
  • State Approval for Phase 3A: On 6 December GOK approved Bangalore Metro’s 35 km long Red Line (Phase 3A) at Rs 28,405.

Delhi Metro: 

  • Record Ridership: DMRC achieved its highest single-day ridership of 78.67 lakh journeys on November 18.
  • Phase-IV Developments: 
    • On  4 March 2024, central approved two new corridors:
      • Inderlok-Indraprastha (12.377 km) and 
      • Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block (8.385 km).
    • Completion of an 865-meter underground tunnel on August 21.
    • The first twin tunnel breakthrough was on September 18.
    • Completion of the longest underground tunnel of 2.65 km on December 4.
    • On September 23, 2024, Alstom delivered the first train set for Phase IV.
  • Technological Innovations: Introduction of AI-powered crowd management and a QR-based ticketing system.

Kolkata Metro:

  • Opening of India’s First Underwater Metro Stretch: On 6 March 2024 PM Narendra Modi Launched the Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section of the East-West Corridor (Green Line) This section runs below the Hooghly River through the country’s first underwater transportation tunnel.
  • 40 Years of Journey: On 24 October 2024 Metro Railway, Kolkata Celebrated 40 years of operations.

Meerut Metro

  • First Trainset Arrival: On 27th February, the first trainset for Meerut Metro arrived at NCRTC’s Duhai Depot. A total of seven trainsets have now arrived at the depot in Delhi.
  • Current Status: Train testing and trials are currently underway as preparations for Meerut Metro operations continue.

Mumbai Metro

  • Operations on Aqua Line: On 7 October 2024, Mumbai’s fully underground metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) became operational from Aarey to BKC.
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Nagpur Metro

  • On 20 December 2024, Indora Square Station on the Orange Line became operational marking the completion of Phase 1 of the Nagpur Metro project.

Current status of Metro Project in Across India

Metro SystemOperational NetworkUnder Construction New Routes
Agra Metro5.2 km6.70 km
Ahmedabad Metro60.06 km7.45 km
Bangalore Metro75.20 km94.81 km
Bhubaneswar metro0 km 0 km
Bhopal Metro0 km6.22 km
Chennai Metro54.1 km116.1 km
Delhi Metro351.28 km65.1 km
Gurgaon Rapid Metro12.1 km0 km
Hyderabad Metro67 km0 km
Indore Metro0 km16.23 km
Jaipur Metro11.98 km0 km
Kanpur Metro8.73 km19.36 km
Kochi Metro27.96 km11.2 km
Kolkata Metro58.68 km41.94 km
Lucknow Metro22.90 km0 km
Meerut Metro0 km20 km
Mumbai Metro59.19 km143.65 km
Nagpur Metro38.22 km0 km
Navi Mumbai Metro11.10 km0 km
Noida Metro29.70 km0 km
Patna Metro0 km22.1 km
Pune Metro31.25 km27.85 km
Surat Metro0 km41.93 km

Celebrating the Progress and Achievements of 

India’s First RRTS Corridor

Namo Bharat Service Expansion in 2024

In 2024, the Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor witnessed substantial growth in its expansion:

  • Operational Progress:
    • A total of 25 km of the corridor became operational this year, extending the operational RRTS network to 42 km.
    • An additional 13 km stretch in the Delhi section is ready to become operational, further increasing the corridor to 55 km, with 11 stations.
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  • Key Sections Opened in 2024:
    • 6th March 2024: A 17 km section from Duhai to Modi Nagar North was opened for commercial use.
    • 18th August 2024: The corridor was extended by 8 km to Meerut South station.
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50 Lakh Commuters on Namo Bharat

  • The Namo Bharat services have gained popularity for their speed, reliability, and comfort. To date, over 50 lakh commuters have travelled on Namo Bharat trains,
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Construction Progress

The construction of the remaining sections of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor is advancing steadily:

  • New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan (5 km): Civil work is nearing completion.
  • Meerut South to Modipuram (23 km): Civil work is also in its final stages.
  • Current Activities: Track laying and Overhead Equipment (OHE) installation are underway on both stretches.

NCRTC’s Initiatives Toward Improving Passenger Convenience

  1. Namo Bharat NCMC Card

To streamline the digital ticketing experience, NCRTC has partnered with Airtel Payments Bank to introduce the Namo Bharat NCMC Card. This card offers the following:

  • Smooth Travel: This card is valid across all transport modes across India.
  • Versatile Use: This card functions as a travel card, debit card, and prepaid card for payments, including shopping and other services.
  1. NCRTC Signed MoUs with DMRC and IRCTC

NCRTC has signed agreements to improve ticketing convenience for Namo Bharat passengers:

  • Integrated QR-Ticketing with DMRC:
    • This allows simultaneous bookings for Namo Bharat and Delhi Metro through their respective apps.
  • Ticket Booking with IRCTC:
    • This enables passengers to add Namo Bharat tickets while purchasing Indian Railways tickets on the IRCTC platform.
  1. 10% Discount on Journeys via Namo Bharat App

The Namo Bharat App (formerly RRTS Connect App) is attracting Namo Bharat commuters with its salient features.

  • New Features:
    • Live train tracking.
    • Real-time parking availability.
    • Last-mile connectivity options.
    • Station facilities and navigation.
    • Lost-and-found service.

NCRTC’s Momentum Toward Sustainability Goals 

Solar Power Installation:

  • NCRTC is installing solar plants across RRTS stations, depots, and buildings.
  • So far NCRTC has achieved 4 MW of the targeted 11 MW renewable energy production.

Partnership with PTC:

  • NCRTC has also partnered with Power Trading Corporation (PTC) India to secure low-cost energy for the Namo Bharat Corridor.

Net Zero Stations: A Landmark Achievement 

NCRTC’s efforts toward sustainability earned recognition at the Green Building Congress 2024, organized by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in Bangalore:

  • Historic Recognition:
    • Sahibabad and Guldhar stations became the first in India to receive the IGBC Net-Zero Energy (Operations) rating.
    • Both stations are also IGBC Platinum-rated.
  • Solar Capacity and Environmental Impact:
    • Each station has a solar capacity of 729 kW
  • Financial Savings:
    • Annual savings of ₹33 lakhs per station.
    • Over a 25-year lifespan, the savings are estimated at ₹8.3 crore per station

Conclusion

The year 2024 has been instrumental for India’s rail transportation sector, with substantial growth in all verticals, including Metro, Railway, RRTS, and High-Speed Rail, in terms of infrastructure expansion and technological integration. The length of operational metro systems in India increased to 943.61 km. With the introduction of Amrit Bharat Trains, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, and the new Vande Bharat Trains, Indian Railways reaffirmed its commitment to cater to all the diverse socio-economic demographics of India efficiently. Similarly, the Amrit Bharat Station Redevelopment scheme is strengthening and modernizing railway infrastructure. India’s first bullet train project has also kept pace with this growth, moving steadily toward its first operations, expected to start in August 2026. Meanwhile, NCRTC has shown its dedication to making the Delhi-Meerut RRTS a reality. The project is on track to meet its deadline for operationalisation by June 2025 while fulfilling all sustainability goals. All current trends indicate that the heightened growth of the rail transportation sector will continue to rise in 2025, generating opportunities for stakeholders. These developments are set to push India closer to its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

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